He Died for Us

There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures—Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme…. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation.

When Christ bowed His head and died, He bore the pillars of Satan’s kingdom with Him to the earth. He vanquished Satan.

Christ submitted to crucifixion, although the heavenly host could have delivered Him. The angels suffered with Christ. God Himself was crucified with Christ; for Christ was one with the Father. Those who reject Christ, those who will not have this man to rule over them, choose to place themselves under the rule of Satan, to do his work as his bondslaves. Yet for them Christ yielded up His life on Calvary.

He who died for the sins of the world was to remain in the tomb the allotted time. He was in that stony prison house as a prisoner of divine justice. He was responsible to the Judge of the universe. He was bearing the sins of the world, and His Father only could release Him.

He identified Himself with our interests, bared His breast for the stroke of death, took man’s guilt and its penalty, and offered in man’s behalf a complete sacrifice to God. By virtue of this atonement, He has power to offer to man perfect righteousness and full salvation. Whosoever shall believe on Him as a personal Saviour shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

The price of man’s redemption has been paid, and all he has and is should be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, dedicated to God; for it belongs to Him.
The Faith I Live By p. 50
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Aunt Ellen who is in surgery today to have her eye and the tumor behind it removed. Rose
—–Just found out a friend has cancer in both lungs & 3 brain tumors. Please pray for healing. His name is Mike. Charlie
—–Mom is in the hospital with breathing issues caused by fluid retention, she’s getting dialysis right now to see if it can relieve some of her coughing and allow her to rest. If you could please remember my mommy Anna in your prayers I would appreciate it deeply. Brandi
—–Please pray I have favor with Craig and Kristi. Ann
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Dear Friends,

While we were in Michigan some years ago, we went to Warren Dune State Park on Lake Michigan on the way back home. As we were feasting our eyes upon the blue expanse before us, Ron made the comment that something was missing—the smell of salt water. He was right. That well-remembered odor was missing. How often, when we lived in Wilmington, North Carolina, we would drive to Wrightsville beach for a picnic after Ron got off from work. In the light of the setting sun, it was pleasant to sit on the beach relaxing as we ate our evening meal. As the sun set behind us, we would often be the only ones left at the beach. After supper was over, we would walk along the shoreline picking up shells, shining our flashlights on some little crab that was scurrying quickly away to avoid being stepped on, listening to the lapping of the waves….. Our walk over, we would sit down again and talk as the children ran and played nearby. Soon Ron and I would grow silent, each lost in our own thoughts. As I gazed over the vast Atlantic, I would often think about how far away the continent of Europe was. The distance seemed unfathomable. Looking at the stars above which were twinkling brightly from their vast distances, I would be reminded of a little chorus that we often sang with our children.

*Wide, wide as the ocean, High as the heavens above, Deep, deep as the deepest sea, Is my Saviour’s love, I, tho’ so unworthy, Still am a child of His care. For His word teaches me That His love reaches me ev’rywhere.

How powerful is our Creator, Who “alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.” Job 9:8 David tells us, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done, he commanded, and it stood fast.” Ps 33:6-9

Think of it! That same One Who made all things, the Great King of the Universe Whom all Heaven adores, loves us with an everlasting love. He promises to “cast all [our] sins into the depths of the sea” where they will never be mentioned again. Micah 7:19 Indeed, the psalmist assures us, “He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps 103:10-14 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, the whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16,17 Wonderful Saviour! Glorious Redeemer! How great is His love for us! It is beyond measure.

Let us worship and adore Him for His Great Goodness! Let us rejoice in His powerful love! Let us love Him with our whole heart and soul and being both now and forevermore!

Rose

*Wide as the Ocean by C. Austin Miles